Storage device and operation method thereof

Abstract

A storage device is provided. The storage device includes a first connector, a second connector, and a memory circuit. The first connector is selectively electrically connected to a first electronic device. The second connector is selectively electrically connected to a second electronic device. The memory circuit is disposed between the first connector and the second connector. When the first connector is electrically connected to a first electronic device and the second connector is electrically connected to a second electronic device, the second connector is switched to a charge mode from a device mode, so that the first electronic device charges the second electronic device through the storage device, the second electronic device does not provide power to the storage device through the storage device, and the first electronic device accesses data in the storage device through the first connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage device comprising:
 a first connector; 
 a second connector; 
 a controller circuit disposed between the first connector and the second connector; 
 a switch circuit electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the switch circuit comprises a power-switching circuit, a control-switching circuit, and a data-switching circuit; and 
 a memory circuit disposed between the first connector and the second connector, 
 wherein when the first connector is electrically connected to a first electronic device and the second connector is electrically connected to a second electronic device, 
 the first connector receives a supply voltage from the first electronic device, 
 the data-switching circuit is switched to a first device state from a second device state according to the supply voltage, so that the first electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the first connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit, 
 the control-switching circuit is switched to a first control state from a second control state, so that the second connector is switched to a charge mode from a device mode, and 
 the power-switching circuit is switched to an on state from an off state according to the supply voltage, so that the second electronic device is charged by the supply voltage through the second connector. 
 
     
     
       2. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when the first connector is not electrically connected to the first electronic device and the second connector is not electrically connected to the second electronic device, the first connector is configured in device mode, the second connector is configured in device mode, the power-switching circuit is configured in the off state, the control-switching circuit is configured in the second control state, and the data-switching circuit is configured in the second device state. 
     
     
       3. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when only the first connector is electrically connected to the first electronic device, the first electronic device provides the supply voltage to the data-switching circuit, the controller circuit, and the memory circuit through the first connector, and the data-switching circuit is switched to the first device state from the second device state according to the supply voltage, so that the first electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the first connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit. 
     
     
       4. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when only the second connector is electrically connected to the second electronic device, the second electronic device provides a supply voltage to the controller circuit and the memory circuit through the second connector, and the data-switching circuit remains in the second device state, so that the second electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the second connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit. 
     
     
       5. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the power-switching circuit comprises:
 a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; 
 a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first resistor, and the second terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to a ground; 
 a first transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the first connector, and the second terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the second connector; 
 a second resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second resistor is electrically connected to the control terminal of the first transistor; 
 a third resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the third resistor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first transistor; 
 a second transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the second resistor and the second terminal of the third resistor, the second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the ground, and the control terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the first terminal of the capacitor; and 
 a fourth resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the fourth resistor is electrically connected to the control terminal of the second transistor, and the second terminal of the fourth resistor is electrically connected to the ground. 
 
     
     
       6. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is a universal serial bus (USB) Type-B connector, and the control-switching circuit comprises:
 a fifth resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the fifth resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; and 
 a photo-coupling relay having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to the second terminal of the resistor, the second terminal and the third terminal of the photo-coupling relay are coupled to a ground, and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to a control terminal of the second connector, 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit does not receive the supply voltage, there is a short circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay, and 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit receives the supply voltage, there is an open circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay. 
 
     
     
       7. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second connector is a a universal serial bus (USB) Type-C connector, and the control-switching circuit comprises:
 a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; 
 a second resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; 
 a photo-coupling relay having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected the second terminal of the second resistor, the second terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to a ground, and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to a control terminal of the second connector and the second terminal of the first resistor; and 
 a third resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the third resistor is electrically connected to the third terminal of the photo-coupling relay, and the second terminal of the third resistor is electrically connected to the ground, 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit does not receive the supply voltage, there is a short circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay, and 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit receives the supply voltage, there is an open circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay. 
 
     
     
       8. The storage device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the data-switching circuit comprises
 a universal serial bus (USB) switch having a first set of signal terminals, a second set of signal terminals, a third set of signal terminals, and a selection terminal, 
 wherein the first set of signal terminals is electrically connected to the first connector, the second set of signal terminals is electrically connected to the second connector, the third set of signal terminals is electrically connected to the controller circuit, and the selection terminal is configured to receive a divided voltage of the supply voltage, and 
 wherein when the selection terminal receives the divided voltage, the data-switching circuit is switched to the first device state from the second device state, so that signals received by the first set of signal terminals are transmitted to the third set of signal terminals. 
 
     
     
       9. A storage device comprising:
 a first connector selectively electrically connected to a first electronic device; 
 a second connector selectively electrically connected to a second electronic device; and 
 a memory circuit disposed between the first connector and the second connector, 
 wherein when the first connector is electrically connected to a first electronic device and the second connector is electrically connected to a second electronic device, the second connector is switched to a charge mode from a device mode, so that the first electronic device charges the second electronic device through the storage device, the second electronic device does not provide power to the storage device through the storage device, and the first electronic device accesses data in the storage device through the first connector. 
 
     
     
       10. The storage device as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a control-switching circuit electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector; and 
 a power-switching circuit electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector, 
 wherein the first electronic device provides a supply voltage to the control-switching circuit and the power-switching circuit through the first connector, 
 the control-switching circuit is switched to a first control state from a second control state, so that the second connector is switched to the charge mode from the device mode, and 
 the power-switching circuit is switched to an on state from an off state according to the supply voltage, so that the supply voltage is provided to charge the second electronic device through the second connector. 
 
     
     
       11. The storage device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the power-switching circuit comprises:
 a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; 
 a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first resistor, and the second terminal of the capacitor is electrically connected to a ground; 
 a first transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the first connector, and the second terminal of the first transistor is electrically connected to the second connector; 
 a second resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second resistor is electrically connected to the control terminal of the first transistor; 
 a third resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the third resistor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the first transistor; 
 a second transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the second terminal of the second resistor and the second terminal of the third resistor, the second terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the ground, and the control terminal of the second transistor is electrically connected to the first terminal of the capacitor; and 
 a fourth resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the fourth resistor is electrically connected to the control terminal of the second transistor, and the second terminal of the fourth resistor is electrically connected to the ground. 
 
     
     
       12. The storage device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second connector is a universal serial bus (USB) Type-B connector, and the control-switching circuit comprises:
 a fifth resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the fifth resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; and 
 a photo-coupling relay having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to the second terminal of the resistor, the second terminal and the third terminal of the photo-coupling relay are coupled to a ground, and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to a control terminal of the second connector, 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit does not receive the supply voltage, there is a short circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay, and 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit receives the supply voltage, there is an open circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay. 
 
     
     
       13. The storage device as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the second connector is a universal serial bus (USB) Type-C connector, and the control-switching circuit comprises:
 a first resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; 
 a second resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second resistor is electrically connected to the first connector; 
 a photo-coupling relay having a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal, wherein the first terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected the second terminal of the second resistor, the second terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to a ground, and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay is electrically connected to a control terminal of the second connector and the second terminal of the first resistor; and 
 a third resistor having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the third resistor is electrically connected to the third terminal of the photo-coupling relay, and the second terminal of the third resistor is electrically connected to the ground, 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit does not receive the supply voltage, there is a short circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay, and 
 wherein when the control-switching circuit receives the supply voltage, there is an open circuit between the third terminal and the fourth terminal of the photo-coupling relay. 
 
     
     
       14. The storage device as claimed in  claim 10 ,
 a data-switching circuit electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector; and 
 a control-switching circuit electrically connected between the first connector and the second connector, 
 wherein the first electronic device provides a supply voltage to the control-switching circuit and the power-switching circuit through the first connector, and the data-switching circuit is switched to a first device state from a second device state according to the supply voltage, so that the first electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the first connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit. 
 
     
     
       15. The storage device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein when only the second connector is electrically connected to the second electronic device, the second electronic device provides the supply voltage to the controller circuit and the memory circuit through the second connector, and the data-switching circuit remains in the second device state, so that the second electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the second connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit. 
     
     
       16. The storage device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the data-switching circuit comprises
 a universal serial bus (USB) switch having a first set of signal terminals, a second set of signal terminals, a third set of signal terminals, and a selection terminal, 
 wherein the first set of signal terminals is electrically connected to the first connector, the second set of signal terminals is electrically connected to the second connector, the third set of signal terminals is electrically connected to the controller circuit, and the selection terminal is configured to receive a divided voltage of the supply voltage, and 
 wherein when the selection terminal receives the divided voltage, the data-switching circuit is switched to the first device state from the second device state, so that signals received by the first set of signal terminals are transmitted to the third set of signal terminals. 
 
     
     
       17. An operation method of a storage device, wherein the storage device comprises a first connector, a second connector, and a memory device, the first connector being selectively electrically connected to a first electronic device, the second connector being selectively electrically connected to a second electronic device, and the operation method comprises:
 when the first connector is electrically connected to a first electronic device and the second connector is electrically connected to a second electronic device, obtaining a supply voltage of the first electronic device by the storage device through the first connector; 
 switching the second connector to a charge mode from a device mode according to the supply voltage; 
 providing the supply voltage to the second electronic device by the storage device through the second connector; and 
 transmitting data to and receiving data from the first electronic device by the storage device through the first connector. 
 
     
     
       18. The operation method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the storage device further comprises a data-switching circuit and a controller circuit, and the step of transmitting data to and receiving data from the first electronic device by the storage device through the first connector comprises:
 switching the data-switching circuit to a first device state from a second device state according to the supply voltage, so that the first electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the first connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit. 
 
     
     
       19. The operation method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the storage device further comprises a data-switching circuit and a controller circuit, and the operation method further comprises:
 providing the supply voltage to the controller circuit and the memory circuit by the second connector, so that the second electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the second connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit. 
 
     
     
       20. The operation method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the storage device further comprises a data-switching circuit and a controller circuit, and the operation method further comprises:
 when only the first connector is electrically connected to the first electronic device, providing the supply voltage to the data-switching circuit, the controller circuit, and the memory circuit by the first electronic device through the first connector, and the data-switching circuit is switched to a first state from a second state according to the supply voltage, so that the first electronic device can access data in the memory circuit through the first connector, the data-switching circuit, and the controller circuit.